Director/Speech-Language Pathologist

As the Owner and Director of Communication Options, I have the privilege of leading a team of dedicated and inspiring Speech-Language Pathologists and SLPAs who share my enthusiasm for our mission. Together, we are committed to empowering children with speech and language delays, recognizing that every child has a unique and important message to share. I am particularly enthusiastic about partnering with parents to support their child's speech and language development through everyday routines and meaningful interactions. Seeing the progress families make together is incredibly rewarding and fuels my dedication to this work. By working closely with parents, I strive to create positive, everyday moments that help children reach their full potential and ensure their voices are heard.

Speech-Language Pathologist 

I have been an SLP since 2010 and I love what I do. Collaborating with families and teachers to support the needs of children with communication challenges is something that I am very passionate about. Seeing the positive outcomes of our joint efforts is incredibly rewarding! I have a particular interest in the areas of preschool-aged stuttering, early language development and articulation/phonology. Supporting children as they become effective communicators is such a blessing!

Speech-Language Pathologist 

I have been a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist since 2011 and with Communication Options since 2012. I specialize in providing therapy to individuals with communication delays/disorders from birth to early elementary years including family/parent/caregiver training. I strongly believe in the efficacy of early intervention and am passionate in providing, motivating, play-based therapy while targeting speech and language needs. I have received continued education in the areas of parent and teacher training with Hanen approaches for play-based intervention, social thinking ideologies applicable to those individuals with social challenges, and motor speech therapy principles for kiddos with Childhood Apraxia of Speech or profound speech sound disorders. I am happy supporting individuals with communication difficulties and their families - I feel great joy increasing their ability to communicate effectively!

Speech-Language Assistant (SLPA)

I'm delighted to have built a career around helping students find their voices and supporting families. I have worked as a Speech Language Assistant since earning my degree in Linguistics in 2001. Since 2007, I have been part of the Communication Options team, collaborating with Speech-Language Pathologists to provide therapy to students in schools with speech and language delays. Alongside my clinical work, I also support the administrative side of Communication Options, helping keep the team running smoothly. 

For several years, I have also served as the lead SLPA in our Partners In Play program, delivering play-based speech and language therapy to children ages 3-4. I have a particular interest in AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), including training and support for school staff and families. There is nothing quite like watching a student find their voice! It is a privilege to work closely with students and families and to celebrate their successes alongside them.

Speech-Language Pathologist 

I have been a practicing Speech and Language Pathologist since 2014. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the Communication Options team since 2017. I obtained my degrees from Minot State University, in North Dakota, and now I live in Red Deer with my husband and two daughters. I provide services for a wide range of communication skills, and I particularly enjoy providing play-based therapy in the areas of speech sound disorders, fluency, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). I feel lucky to be able to help children gain the communicative skills and the confidence to express who they are and what they have to offer.

Speech-Language Pathologist
Partners in Play lead SLP
Reading Clinic Director

I have enjoyed working as a speech-language pathologist in preschool and school settings since 2009. I love partnering with and empowering families and educators in meaningful and practical ways to help children develop and share their voices. I care about honouring all the ways children communicate. I enjoy every area of communication and have particular interests in supporting early language development, children on the Autism spectrum, and speech sound disorders. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to work in this field alongside children and families as they experience success.

Speech-Language Pathologist 

I have been practicing Speech Language Pathology since 2016.  Prior to pursuing a career in speech and language, I received a Master of Music degree in opera performance and have performed in operas in Canada and Europe.  I was so excited to make the career change to SLP as these two professions marry so well together.  I am passionate about providing early intervention services to the 3-6 age population, especially those with severe speech sound needs.  Improving speech and language skills, and giving these young children a voice, is the best job in the world!

Speech-Language Pathologist 

I’ve been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2006, following my graduation from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Over the years I’ve worked across a range of clinical settings with clients of all ages, and since 2019 I’ve focused on a pediatric caseload with Communication Options. I find joy in the everyday connections I build with the children and families I work with, and I have a particular interest in speech sound disorders. I am inspired by the words from Les Brown, where he says “No one rises to low expectations“ and I try to have that guide my professional philosophy. I feel fortunate to work alongside such a skilled and knowledgeable team.

Speech-Language Pathologist 

I've been a practicing Speech and Language Pathologist since 2018. I obtained my degrees at the University of Alberta, and now live in Olds with my husband and our bulldog, Rosie. I am honored to work alongside this team of incredible SLPs as we get to support children, families, and their school teams along their communication journeys! I love to target speech sound, language and executive function goals through play-based activities.  Although I enjoy working in all areas of speech and language therapy, I have a special interest in Alternative and Augmentative Communication and supporting children with complex communication needs. 

Speech-Language Pathologist

Hi! My name is Kiera Shwaluk, I obtained my degree in speech-language pathology from Minot State University in 2025 . Throughout my time at Minot I gained valuable experience working with clients across the lifespan on various communication goals. I enjoy all areas of communication but have a special interest in targeting speech sound disorders and social language skills. Helping individuals find their voice is a privilege and I am lucky to be able to work with and learn from this incredible team!

Speech-Language Pathologist

“I have been practicing as a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2017, after completing my degree at the University of Alberta. I joined the Communication Options team in 2026. I am dedicated to helping children share their voice, empowering them to express themselves in ways that feel most authentic to them. I have a special interest in helping children use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to supplement communication. I also enjoy using storytelling to build language skills in a fun, practical way. I feel so fortunate to be able to celebrate children’s growth alongside their families and school teams.”

Speech-Language Pathologist

Since graduating from the University of Alberta in 2018, I’ve loved working collaboratively with teachers, teams, and parents to support children in achieving their communication goals. While I enjoy all areas of our practice, my favorite topics are early literacy (building a love for reading from day one), and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Seeing a child gain confidence to share their thoughts and ideas is truly the best part of my job. I'm excited to join the Communication Options team this year and look forward to supporting children and their families in our community! 

Speech-Language Pathologist

I have been a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist for over 20 years, with experience in multidisciplinary early child development settings across Canada and internationally. I graduated from the University of Alberta in 2005 and combine a comprehensive clinical background—including a Therapist Assistant Diploma (SLPA, PTA, OTA)—with a unique perspective rooted in my history as a cruise line youth counselor, child-care programmer, and former competitive dancer.

Today, I specialize in neurodivergent-affirming care and early intervention. I am a Hanen Certified Parent Coach with additional training in neurodivergent communication styles, sensory processing, oral-motor, voice, speech sound disorders, and animal-assisted therapies. I am passionate about building capacity within families and educational teams, bringing a holistic, multi-modal approach to therapy that emphasizes regulation and the power of connection through play. I now live in Sylvan Lake, Alberta, with my husband, son, and our chatty rescue cat.

Speech-Language Pathologist 

My name is Jayda Yoxall and I received my Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2026. I am excited to join the Communication Options team as a new SLP and to represent the company in the Edmonton and surrounding areas! Through my graduate training and previous volunteering, I have gained experience working with clients of all ages and a wide range of communication disorders. I have a particular interest in speech sound disorders, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and early childhood language development. One of the most rewarding aspects of this profession is the opportunity to build meaningful connections with children and their families while getting to know each child’s unique personality.

Speech-Language Assistant (SLPA)

Sharin supports students in Sunchild school and Red Deer public schools

“Hi, my name is Sharin Fokema, and I am a Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant. I have about 10 professional years in this field and 27 personal years in this field working with my three children with severe hearing loss, deafness and autism. I call my job the “Grandma Job.” I get to work individually and with groups of children on their speech and language goals as prescribed by my Speech and Language Pathologist. As people, we have a deep need to connect and be understood by those around us. I am blessed with being a part of helping children be successful and feel confident in their communication which ultimately leads to improved life outcomes. As a parent with children who needed speech therapy, I am intimately connected to the challenges and rewards of it so I bring that to my children and all those who work with and support them with love, compassion and an open mind. I love using my life experience to relate to the children I serve and hear about their interests to tailor my sessions in a more connected way. I value the time that children, parents and professionals put into their goals and the change brought about through that time spent is what consistently puts a smile on my face and joy in my heart pocket.”

Speech-Language Assistant (SLPA)

Trina supports students in Red Deer public schools and our Partners in Play preschool program

“I joined the Communication Options team in 2022, beginning my journey in the Partners in Play preschool program, where I support preschool-aged students through play-based therapy. In recent years, I’ve also had the privilege of supporting school-aged students in a variety of school settings alongside Speech-Language Pathologists who have shared their knowledge, guided me, and inspired me along the way.

Creating a supportive and encouraging space where students feel comfortable being themselves is at the heart of what I do. Building relationships, supporting communication growth, and helping students find confidence in expressing themselves are some of the most rewarding parts of my role. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of their growth, celebrate their accomplishments, and witness the progress they make along the way.”

Speech-Language Assistant (SLPA)

Kathleen supports our Partners in Play preschool program

“I worked as an Education Assistant in public schools for 5 years in Manitoba and also Nova Scotia. After moving to Alberta I excitedly accepted a SLPA position with the Partners in Play program in 2021. I love working with preschool age children, helping them to find their voice and build confidence is so rewarding! Play based speech and language therapy is so effective and fun, as Dr. Seuss said “It’s fun to have fun!””

Partners in Play Team

“I’m Gena Sawyer, and I’m so excited to be joining Communication Options this year! I’ll be working in the Partners In Play program, providing play-based speech and language therapy for 3&4 year olds.

I graduated from Medicine Hat College with my diploma in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and then completed a degree in Health Science. My experience has mainly been in schools, where I’ve worked as an SLPA and also as a Therapy Assistant/behaviour support. Through these roles, I’ve had the opportunity to work with children with a variety of communication needs.

I’m really excited to bring my experience into the PIP program and get to work with our youngest learners. I’m looking forward to a great year!